Propelling mechanism for boats, vessels, and the like



Dec. 14 1926.

F. BURGE ECHANISM FOR BOATS,

PROPELLING VESSEL-S AND THE LIKE .ilsd 50, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 141926.

, F. BURGE PROPELLING MECHANISM FOR BOATS, VESSELS, AND THE LIKE FiledSept. so, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented Dec. 14, 1926.

UNITED STATES FRED BUBGE, OF 1 \TEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

PROPELLING MECHANISM FOR BOATS, VESSELS,. AND THE LIKE.

Application filed September 30, 1926. Serial No. 138,613.

This invention relates to an improvement in propelling mechanisms forboats, vessels, and the like, and particularly to that class of boats,etc., propelled wholly or in part by the wind.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple, reliable andeliicient mechanism of the class described.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical centralsection of a boat provided with my improved propelling mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a top or plan View thereof;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detached perspective View of one of the impellers with itsblades arranged in their operative positions; and

Fig. 5 is a view thereof with the bladesin their collapsed orinoperative positions.

In carrying out my invention in the embodiment herein shown forillustration, 1 provide a boat 10 with a centrally-located rectangularopening 11 arranged lengthwise of the boat and extending verticallythrough the depth thereof, so as to be open at its bottom to the waterand at its top to the air. The walls of the aforesaid opening 11 areextended above the deck 12 of the boat. so as to constitute arectangular shield 18 for the purpose as will hereinafter appear. Partlywithin the opening 11 and partly above the same I mount, as shown, twovertical rotary impellers, each consisting of a group of fourrectangular blades 14, 149, lt and 14 radiating from atransversely-arranged horizontal shaft 15, the opposite ends of whichhave bearing in pillow-blocks 16 mounted on the opposite sides of theopening 11 and upon the upper edge of the shield 13. The blades 14 and14 of each impeller are preferably made of one piece of sheet-metal, andat the point of juncture are formed with integral fingers 1'? adapted toembrace the shaft 15 aforesaid. The blades 14 and 14 are independentlyformed and are respectively provided with fingers 18 and 19 and alsoadapted to embrace the shaft 15 in such manner that the said blades maybe swung with respect to the said shaft and against the blades 1 1 and14 respectively, as shown in Fig. 5, so that the impellers may be thusrendered inoperative when desired.

For the purpose of maintaining the individual blades of each impeller incorrect radial operative position with respect to their complementaryblades, I employ four tie-rods 21, each of which is provided at itsopposite ends respectively with an inwardly-turned hook 22 designed toenter a positioning-notch 23, one of which is formed in the outer endsof each blade. For the purpose of drawing the tie-rods 21 taut, one ofthe said rods of each impeller is pro vided with a turn-buckle take-up2-1.

As thus constructed and arranged, the upper half of each impeller isexposed to the action of the wind, while its lower portion, which ispartly immersed in the water, is shielded therefrom by the shield 13,consequently, wind blowing from any point to the rear of the boat willcause the impellers to rotate. This rotation of the impellers,

as just described, will positively propel the boat forward, since thelower portions of the impellers are immersed in the water.

It is obvious that the number of impellers upon the boat, as well as thenumber of blades in each impeller, may be variedwithout departing fromthe spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. The combination with a boat having an opening extending verticallytherethrough, of a rotary impeller located partly in the said opening insuch position that its lower portion is immersed in water and its upperportion exposed to the action of the wind, the said impeller consistingof a plurality of radial blades, and a shield for preventing the windfrom acting upon the lower portion of the impeller.

2. The combination with a boat having an opening extending verticallytherethrough, of a rotary impeller located partly in the said opening insuch position that its lower portion is immersed in water and its upperportion exposed to the action of the wind, the said impeller consistingof a plurality of pivotal radial blades. detachable braces formaintaining the said blades in operative position with respect to eachother, and a shield for preventing the wind from acting upon the lowerportion of the impeller.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification.

FRED BURGE.

